Gerrit Jan Prinsen

At the age of 52, Mr G.J. Prinsen, sworn estate agent and valuer, has passed away. A severe illness, which he battled for over eight months whilst being lovingly nursed by his wife, brought an end to his earthly life on Saturday 7 June.

A few weeks ago, we sat by his sickbed, hoping along with him that the spring sun might soon arrive and bring a restoration of his strength. God has ordained it otherwise, and may the knowledge that it was His will now bring comfort to his widow and family.

Our municipality has lost a good citizen in Mr Prinsen. Not as one who sought to make a name for himself, but as one to whom people listened. This was clearly expressed in the words of the chairman of the Aalten’s Belang association at the most recent annual general meeting: “…though in the future we shall sorely miss him, who was one of our most active members, and to whose advice at our meetings everyone listened with close attention.”

As chief churchwarden (president-kerkvoogd) of the Dutch Reformed congregation and chairman of the Organ Committee, Mr Prinsen played a major part in the complete restoration of the church organ. Furthermore, the deceased was a member of the Board of Directors of the Middenstandsbank, to which ever-growing institution he gladly devoted his time.

In his professional capacity, Mr Prinsen handled several major transactions and, as a structural designer and builder, gave various properties a new lease of life over the years. For instance, acting on instructions from the company, he purchased the land for the water tower near the Lindeboom (the lime tree in the coat of arms of Aalten). He was also ever willing to assist the common man, consistently winning their trust through his helpfulness and fairness. May the certainty that his memory will live on gratefully in many hearts serve as a consolation to his bereaved family.